glutenberg
Golden Member
Originally posted by: babylon5
Originally posted by: Rainsford
It's not really relevant to the conversation, but I'm not sure European immigrants are the perfect model to follow either. My grandparents on both sides came from various European countries, and despite only one generation of separation, I don't know shit about any of them. For all practical purposes, my cultural heritage began in 1930. I'm not so sure that's a good thing...just because someone is immigrating doesn't mean their previous culture is something to be cast aside as quickly as possible. I don't agree with avoiding learning the language or flying another flag above the American flag, but I don't think ALSO speaking another language or keeping some customs from the "old country" are too bad an idea either.
I don't think knowing second language or keep practicing your cultural heritage is negative.
In European countries like Denmark or Sweden, most people knows more than one languages. But then, those are citizens of their countries.
What's different today is, Spanish speaking people got their own TV Channel. Europeans immigrants didnt' have Italian channel, German channel, Irish channel (well, it's English but weird sounding anyway), and they have to learn the language fast or else. Today, Hispanics dont' have to listen to English in your home because they got their own TV channel in their own native language. This creates certain barrier in cross culture immersion.
Another difference is, geographical distance. Europeans have to travel across the Atlantic to come to USA, and once they arrive they can't go back easily. They might think of themselves as "whichever European countries they were from", but they are too far from homeland to connect to their country of origin.
South Americans don't have this problem. They can go back and forth. America isn't a final destination as much as temporary home. Loyalty belongs more to old 'motherland', as you can see which country's flag they prefer to wave around.
Chinese people have their own TV channels, I guess I better start packing my bags. 😉